Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine ›› 2026, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (5): 1276-1285.DOI: 10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.2026.05.020

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Analysis of risk factors for anti-tuberculous drug-induced liver injury in treatment-naïve pulmonary tuberculosis patients with different Traditional Chinese Medicine syndromes: a retrospective study

CHEN Huan1,2, XU Chunjun2(), NIU Zuohu2, LIU Shuo3, LIU Ye1   

  1. 1 Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Daxing Teaching Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 102600, China
    2 Department of Infections, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100010, China
    3 Department of Pharmacy, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 101149, China
  • Received:2025-05-31 Accepted:2026-01-21 Online:2026-10-15 Published:2026-10-09
  • Contact: Prof. XU Chunjun, Department of Infections, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100010, China. xucj1409@126.com,Telephone: +86-13601372632

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the differential risks and mechanisms of anti-tuberculosis drug-induced liver injury (AT-DILI) among treatment-naïve pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) patients with distinct Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndromes, and to establish syndrome-specific risk stratification for individualized clinical management.

METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of 632 treatment-naïve TB patients classified into four TCM syndromes: Pulmonary YinDeficiency (PYD), Hyperactivity of Fire due to YinDeficiency (HFYD), Deficiency of Qiand Yin(DQY), and Deficiency of Yinand Yang (DYY). Demographic data, biochemical indicators, and liver injury outcomes were collected. Statistical analyses included Kruskal-Wallis tests, Spearman correlation, and multivariate logistic regression to identify AT-DILI risk factors.

RESULTS: Among the 632 patients, 246 (38.9%) developed hepatic dysfunction, with 89 (14.1%) meeting AT-DILI criteria. DQY patients exhibited the highest incidence of liver injury (38.9%), which was significantly associated with elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) [odds ratio (OR) = 1.01, P = 0.019] and prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) (OR = 0.88, P = 0.009). In HFYD patients, platelet count (PLT) was identified as an independent risk factor (OR= 1.01, P = 0.032), whereas PYD patients demonstrated thrombin time (TT) as a predictor. Biochemical profiles varied significantly across syndromes: PYD patients had higher albumin [ALB: (34.08 ± 5.14) g/L] and cholinesterase [CHE: (5632.48 ± 2061.57) U/L] levels, whereas HFYD patients displayed elevated inflammatory markers [C-reactive protein: (30.69 ± 31.28) mg/L; LDH: (183.20 ± 66.91) U/L].

CONCLUSION: Distinct AT-DILI risk profiles exist among treatment-naïve pulmonary TB patients with different TCM syndromes. DQY patients require monitoring for metabolic dysfunction (LDH) and coagulation abnormalities (APTT), while HFYD patients necessitate PLT surveillance to mitigate microcirculatory damage. Integrating TCM syndrome differentiation with biochemical profiling enables personalized anti-TB therapy, potentially reducing liver injury incidence and enhancing treatment safety. This approach bridges TCM theory with modern biomarkers, offering actionable strategies for high-risk populations.

Key words: tuberculosis, pulmonary, chemical and drug induced liver injury, biomarkers, Traditional Chinese Medicine syndromes, risk stratification, coagulation dysfunction

Cite this article

CHEN Huan, XU Chunjun, NIU Zuohu, LIU Shuo, LIU Ye. Analysis of risk factors for anti-tuberculous drug-induced liver injury in treatment-naïve pulmonary tuberculosis patients with different Traditional Chinese Medicine syndromes: a retrospective study[J]. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2026, 46(5): 1276-1285.